By train

From London

Glasgow and Edinburgh are both served by frequent direct train services from London, and are easily reached from other main English towns and cities, though you may have to change trains en route.

• Virgin Trains East Coast depart from London King's Cross and run up the east coast via Peterborough, York and Newcastle to Edinburgh, with some continuing on to Glasgow, Aberdeen or Inverness.
  
• Virgin trains run up the west coast from London Euston via Crewe, Preston and Carlisle to Glasgow.
  
• Overnight sleeper services from London Euston also operate to a number of Scottish cities via the west coast route.

Services from other areas

There are a number of long-distance direct services to Scotland that begin from outside London:

• Virgin runs services from Birmingham to Edinburgh or Glasgow. 
  
• CrossCountry services link Cardiff, Paignton, Penzance, Bournemouth and Brighton with Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen, via Birmingham.
  
• First TransPennine Express operate direct services to Edinburgh and Glasgow from Manchester Airport via Manchester, Preston, Lancaster, Oxenholme Lake District and Carlisle.

Timetables and UK fare information

• For all train times to Scotland and fares across the UK network, visit National Rail Enquiries.
  
• For any other rail travel information including rail operators serving Scotland, visit Traveline Scotland.

By plane

Flying to Scotland from elsewhere in the UK is the generally the fastest travel option. This is particularly true if your ultimate destination is beyond the major cities or on any of the islands.

In addition to regular carriers such as British Airways and BMI, Scotland is well served by the budget airlines operating from airports around London and from other area hubs on routes to Scotland's major city and regional airports.

To find flights and fares to Scotland's major airports, search on comparison sites such as:

• SkyScanner
• Expedia
• Travel Supermarket
• Cheapflights